Chapter Thirteen

He has a fiancée, not had. Shay couldn’t believe she’d let him get under her skin so fast without being sure. Driving past, out of the corner of her eye she saw him, banging the arms of the wheelchair.

Once out of the driveway, she made a left and headed over to Joanna’s shop, castigating herself. Don’t fall for the boss, stupid. Don’t fall for any man, stupid. The windshield wipers kept time with her rant. Keep your personal life personal, stupid, stupid, stupid.

She hit the button on the radio and tried to drown out the voice in her head. A female rocker wailed about a broken relationship. That didn’t make her feel any better. She shut it off.

In front of Joanna’s shop, One More Chance, she shoved the shifter into park and laid her head back against the rest. With a deep breath, she stepped out into the drizzle. A car whizzing past veered and beeped at her. She plastered her back against the wet vehicle.

“Sorry,” she yelled, then muttered, “Pay attention, for crying out loud, Shay. You nearly killed yourself.”

Once her heart calmed, she pulled her hood up and walked around to the curb. A soft glow of light called her to the door. She pressed the lever down and pushed into the warmth.

The doorbell jingled above.

“Be right there,” Joanna yelled from somewhere in the back.

“‘K.” Shay wandered around the shop, looking at everything and nothing until Joanna emerged from the storeroom in the back.

“Shay? What are you doing here?” Joanna wiped her hands on the rag she held and came toward her. “What’s wrong?”

No longer able to hold them back, Shay let the tears stream down her face and whispered, “I’m so stupid.”

“Come here.”

Joanna’s arms wrapped around her. Her friend held on until the sobs racking Shay’s body ceased. “I liked him. I really liked him.”

“Go to the bathroom and wash your face. I’ll put the teapot on, and we’ll talk.”

“‘K.” She sniffed.

In the bathroom, Shay avoided her reflection until after she’d splashed her face with cold water. Patting it dry with a paper towel, she sized up the woman in the mirror. Red, blotchy face with swollen eyes. Who wouldn’t want the gorgeous, perfect Kayla?

“Plain old Shay, everyone walks away.” She slapped a palm over her reflection. “Buck up, girlfriend. You should be used to it by now.”

Whistling from the kettle let her know she’d spent enough time hiding. She wadded the towel and sank it in the basket. Two points. Heaving a deep sigh, she followed the spicy scent of chai tea.

When they were seated with steaming cups in hand, Joanna began the inquisition. “Olivia never said anything about Kayla being Aden’s fiancée?”

“Nope. She doesn’t like Kayla, so maybe she’s in denial. All I knew was, a few days after the accident, she and Kayla had an argument. Olivia told her the TV show was off the table, and she was running the business. She told the witch she needed to shape up.”

“So, then what happened?” Joanna offered her a chocolate chip.

“No, thanks. My stomach is on shaky ground.” She blew on and then sipped her tea. “According to Olivia, Kayla left town and headed west with dreams of reality TV. The rest is history.”

“Something doesn’t seem right, Shay. Are you sure what you saw and heard this afternoon was accurate? Could you have misunderstood?”

“Of course, I heard him right. He denied kissing me…”

“You said you hadn’t actually kissed yet. Maybe Aden is just—literal.” Joanna’s brows were drawn down.

Shay could see the wheels spinning.

“He’s a guy. We both know they don’t speak the same language.”

“Joanna, we were breathing each other’s air.”

“Still, it wasn’t an actual kiss. And what about when you told me Kayla looked right at you before calling herself his fiancée? Could she be the one playing you?”

Shay fidgeted. What if Joanna was right and she misread everything? “When she ran her hand down his cheek, and he took her hand?”

“Did you see what he did with it?”

“No, I turned and left.” Letting out a deep breath, she sighed. “Am I being ridiculous?”

“Sweetie, I understand. You’ve been betrayed before.” Joanna’s gray eyes peered at her over her tea mug. Then, setting the cup on the table, she folded her hands and leaned forward. “The thing bothering me most about your perception is, he came after you. If he cared about Kayla, wouldn’t he have stayed with her?”

Flabbergasted, Shay sat back, speechless for a moment, blinking at her friend. After mulling it over, she whispered, “Do you think I made a mistake?”

“I can’t say for sure, but Olivia has been great so far, and you’ve become good friends with Eli and Margaret. Do you believe right here—” Joanna put her hand over her own heart. “—they’ve been deceiving you?”

After all her past hurts at the hands of those she loved, Shay had erected walls of protection around her heart. If she didn’t let anyone close, then they couldn’t hurt her. Was she blinded by fear, and not seeing the whole picture?

Being with Aden the past couple of weeks, she’d found herself drawn to him like a kitten to catnip. His humor and patience in the kitchen, not to mention the way he smiled at her, made her crave his attention. Then, while they were both in the car, she let a breach form in the wall around her heart.

“Shay?” Joanna reached over to her. “What will you do?”

“I’ve got to go back. I need to hear from Aden and Olivia just what happened. Even if it’s true, I have responsibilities.” She pushed the chair back and stood, glancing at her watch. “If I’m not fired.”

“That’s my girl. You’re not a runner, you’re a fighter.” Joanna walked with her to the door. “I’m here if you need me.”

Wrapping her arms around her friend, Shay gave her a giant bear hug. “Love you.”

****

“Good thing you have a sturdy phone case.” Margaret leaned against the butcher block, eyeing him. “Sucks when the choices we make come back to haunt us.”

Aden rubbed his forehead, where a headache was coming on. “I don’t need a lecture.”

“Yeah, maybe you do. Besides, I haven’t had my turn yet.”

Lifting his gaze, he peered into Margaret’s eyes. She never said much, but when she did, he’d learned to listen. “All right, shoot.”

“This is a turning point. You’re a good man, Aden, but you’ve lost your way.”

He broke the gaze and looked over her shoulder at the wall.

“I’m angry with you, but I want to get past it. Holding anger in makes a person bitter. So here goes.” She succinctly relayed the error of his ways, winding up with, “And you don’t listen. Eli told you Kayla was nothing but trouble. We both said you were pushing too hard, too fast, and see where it got us.”

“I know. I’m sorry.”

“And I’m aware you’re sorry, but I’m still angry with you.”

The catch in Margaret’s voice made him look back at her.

She was trying not to cry.

He choked up at the thought of causing her tears.

“I know Eli has underlying heart problems. But Aden, the stress and overwork aren’t good for him. Your choices don’t affect you alone.”

“I know, I know…” He began to interrupt with more apologies.

She cut him off with a wave of her hand. “If this business fails, we stand to lose everything. Our life and savings are tied up in Rock House too. And finally, you hurt someone I’ve come to care a lot about.” Margaret pointed to the door. “Shay saved this place while you were down. She’s not fling material. When, and if, she comes back, I’ll be watching over her. If you need to continue messing up your own life, I won’t let you take us all down with you.”

Margaret stalked out of the kitchen and into the locker room, slamming the door.

He sat there in shock. If his actions caused such a gentle, soft-spoken woman like Margaret, to ream him out, he really needed to change his life. The disappointment in her eyes made him drop his head in shame.

His obsession to get ahead, to make and do more, seemed to make everyone else unhappy.

He had a mental list—get back on his feet, get Jazz House up and running, and find a new producer to see if syndication was still on the table. Plans to get Shay on board, not only in a relationship but with the show, were somewhere on the list. But was he just drawing her into his madness? With Kayla gone, had he thought to replace her with Shay? But Shay is no Kayla.

Shay was the type of woman who would desire the things he used to want—a great restaurant with the best food he could put out. Her time and effort working the front of the house, and then stepping in to fill Eli’s enormous shoes, must have put a ridiculous amount of pressure on her. Add in his romantic intentions, no wonder she bolted at the first chance. Rubbing his temples, Aden hissed out a breath then spun the chair in circles.

Stupid legs. He couldn’t go after her. He couldn’t even pace.

Margaret was right. He needed to figure out what he wanted and prioritize, not just shuffle the players around. First, he had to get things right between him and those he cared for. Including Shay.

****

Olivia rechecked her phone. Worry, coupled with sadness and fear, fought for supremacy, roiling in her gut. Shay had disappeared. She didn’t answer anyone’s calls or texts.

“She’s been gone for over an hour.” Aden rolled back and forth in his wheelchair from one end of the bar to the other. He’d figured out a way to pace.

“She’ll be back.” How could she convince him when she wasn’t sure? Shay had become more like a sister than a friend. “She won’t leave us to fend for ourselves. Responsibility and loyalty are high on Shay’s list.”

“You make her sound like a golden retriever.” He jumped down her throat.

“Aden, stop it.”

He parked the chair. “I’m sorry. I’m just worried.”

“We all are.”

Everyone knew something was wrong, and Rock House was subdued. Staff spoke only as needed. Someone turned off the music in the kitchen, and the cooks worked in grim silence. Doors to the Grill would open in a half-hour, and the usual scramble to get ready was in progress, but the typical good humor wasn’t there.

Dereck put on his suit in case Shay didn’t come back.

Olivia closed her eyes and leaned against the bar. Please come back. We need you.

The expression on Shay’s face when she’d peeked through the window in the kitchen door had Olivia wondering if maybe her new friend had washed her hands of them. She nearly dropped her phone when it vibrated.

—Do I still have a job?—

Olivia rolled her eyes heavenward, sent up a thank you, and then tapped the screen.

—Where are you?—

—Back door.—

—Be right there, don’t move—

—Alone, okay, don’t want to see Aden yet. Is Kayla still there?—

—No, she’s gone—

“I’ll be right back,” she told Aden.

Olivia tried to appear unhurried as she passed through the dining room but picked up speed when she hit the kitchen door. Catching Margaret’s eye, she nodded.

The other woman echoed her thoughts. “Thank God.”

Shay was leaning against the railing, biting her thumbnail when Olivia yanked the door open. “Are you all right? You worried me so much.”

“I’m sorry Olivia. It’s just—I thought Aden and I were growing closer and when I heard and saw them together…” Shay’s eyes were red from crying. “Why didn’t you tell me they were engaged?”

“They are not engaged. They never were.” She gathered Shay into her arms. “Please, come inside. It’s freezing out here.”

“Where is Aden? I can’t see him right now.”

“He’s up front. I’ll keep him there.” Olivia stepped back but held onto Shay’s arms. “Don’t worry. I have faith all this will work out. Will you come in?”

When they entered the kitchen, Margaret looked Shay up and down. “Are you okay?”

Shay nodded.

“I’m glad you’re back,” Eli said. “And if you’re good, then I’ve got meals needing to go out in fifteen minutes. Are you in or not?”

Shay turned to Olivia. “Am I in? What about the front?”

“I called Dereck. You stay in the kitchen and help Eli. I have to let Aden know you’re back. He’s been worried sick.”

“I can’t face him yet.” Shay grabbed an apron and went over to wash her hands in the sink.

“Don’t worry. I told you, he’ll stay up front.”

Olivia steeled her nerves before pushing through the swinging doors. Glancing around, she took note of everything in its place.

The waitstaff huddled with the bartenders in the far corner, going over drink specials and wine choices to offer with the day’s menu. Shay had trained them well.

Aden was talking with Dereck, going over last-minute details.

“Got a minute?” She interrupted the two men.

“Have you heard from her?”

“Let’s go in the other room.” Olivia led the way to the small downstairs office. Closing it behind them, she collapsed in the chair behind the desk.

“If you plan to beat me down, too late. Margaret already did.”

“Aden, you know I love you like a brother.” Smiles ghosted on both their faces at the old joke. “But you need to listen to me. Shay is back.”

He went to swivel the chair around.

“Stop! You need to listen to me.” She kept her voice firm. “Shay’s not ready to see you yet. I don’t want her taking off again, so you need to let her be.”

“I want to see her.”

Olivia leaned forward and slapped her hands on the desk. At this moment, she was done with him. “It’s still all about you, isn’t it, Aden? Even after everything. Put someone else’s needs above yours for a change. You know about the ex-husband. Shay’s self-esteem was low, even before he did a number on her.”

“I don’t know what to do, Livvie.” Aden ran his hands through his hair. “I try to do the right thing, I really do. God, what a mess.”

“You have to let her take the lead here. Shay doesn’t trust men. She’s afraid of what’s happening between the two of you.” Olivia gazed at her brother. His life was in a muddle. Yes, he had only himself to blame, but it still hurt to see him in this position. “Addie, she’s working hard to put her life together. You need to do the same. Now, give her space and time. Stay in the front.”

He seemed so sad she wanted to relent, but Aden needed tough love right now. He nodded at her and turned the chair to go out. But the office door didn’t swing, and he couldn’t manipulate the wheelchair close enough to the knob.

“Liv, can you get the door for me?” His voice was flat and low.

She reached past him and opened it.

“Thank you.” He didn’t look at her when he wheeled away.

Olivia went back to the desk and sat down. She pulled her cell out of her pocket and dialed David’s number. It went to voicemail. “Hi, it’s me. I just needed to hear your voice. I’ll talk to you later.”